A recurve for a friends daughter - build a long

[Bradford]

Hey all!

So was asked to build one of my "shorties" for a friend for his girl.  Said she would only shoot a bow if it was lime green and pink.

I know.. I get all the fun ones!  LOL

So here is the main riser.  Ash and pink ivory wood.

 

Got it all prepped and thru it in the oven last night...

cleaned it up and now adding the tips and accent pieces.  Pink ivory is NOT cheap.. so I just bought a very small piece, and no piece is getting wasted!

 

 

 

So letting that dry up tonight and tomorrow the shaping begins!

I got the craft store today and found some lime green ink.. tested it on a piece of ash..

(BINGO)

 

Love the way the green ink picks up the grain.  I am hoping that the tung oil will help preserve the color for the long haul.

[red hill]

That's gonna be sharp! Bet nobody laughs at her pink bow!   :eek:

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Lookin good Bradford, I'm sure that one's gonna be a sweet shooter just like mine. I  bet she will absolutely love it cause you make some fine recurves for sure!  

[Bradford]

Thanks guys!  
It's fun making the off the wall bows.. This color scheme will be one for the books

[KellyG]

Man that is some lucky friend and little girl. I bet she is going to love it.  

[Moen]

Nice! I like your progress, Bradford. Keep on the good work:)

-Moen

[Bradford]

Alright... epoxy dried this morning.. so.

Got the window rough cut...



Then started the handle trench...



Then a lot of sanding, rasping and more sanding..







Being a girls bow.. I am trying to put some "sexy" curves in the handle.  I am liking it.  I think my next bow might have some "sexy" curves in it as well...  :p

Hey.. it is only 2pm over here.. I best get back to it!  LOL

[Bradford]

Well.. got the knock grooves in...



Went to string it up.. and ..........SON OF A B....





The only thing I can think of is there was a micro crack in the ash.  I had it only bent about 2 inches to get the string on when it went.  I have used ash before with good success..

Looks like this bow might be a bit late.. bummer.

First bow that has ever broken on me.  I am so bummed.. it was coming along so nice.

[GREG IN MALAD]

That is a bummer! I feel your pain, every time I use really expensive materials something bad happens.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

That sucks! I've only broken one so far and I'm still mad about it, but mine was originally my fault so I can't really blame it on the materials, but that hurts even worse.

Hopefully you'll be able to recover some of the materials to use again like the pink wood maybe?

[Bradford]

It looks like the pink ivory separated cleanly from the fiberglass... so that would put all the pressure on the ash which was really thin right there.  The ash and the fiberglass held great.. in fact it split the fiberglass all up.  But the pink ivory side looks untouched????

The pink ivory does not feel oily at all... so I am not sure.

Well, luckily I bought more glass at the same time.  I was going to build two other youth bows.  This time clear and white.. so maybe what I will do is a basic riser with a stripe in it, and epoxy in some pink camo in the clear glass and then use the lime green ink in the wood.  I might be able to use some of the pink ivory for a few accent pieces.

Gosh Darn It.... first one that broke.. and I have built what.. 20 bows now.  I now my walnut riser is not usable because of flex, but it did not break!!!

O well.. need to get on it.  Got to take a mental break tonight.  Tomorrow after work: cut and glue riser.. get lams ready.
Wednesday.. cut riser into shape and glue up..
Thursday.. rough cut and shape..  Friday: finish sand and stain.. Saturday get some clear on it.  Get it shipped off by Monday I hope.

Was planning on shipping off that bad boy Thursday.

[KellyG]

Bradford,
Don't rush it I am sure you friend understands. Too bad, I am always bummed to see a bow break.

[Swissbow]

Oh man what a bummer, that's to bad. But I'm sure you will have the next one ready within a few days. I wonder how the lime green ink will look with the pink camo.

----------
Andy

[Bradford]

Something came up last night after work.. I hate getting off at 6pm... feels like there is no time during the week.

Got the riser cut:



But made more progress tonight.  Got the riser glued up with a black/white/black stripe.. thru it in the oven and prepped all the lams.
Check out the pink fabric.. This should be cool looking!



So tomorrow.. throw the riser in the drum sander to get it to 1 1/2" exactly and cut it out.. if time allows I will glue up the bow tomorrow.  Since I have to watch the oven for 4 hours I need to make sure it goes in before 7pm

[KellyG]

Well this one should be pretty cool also.  

[SportHunter]

Sorry to see the first one break, it was coming along great. Good luck with the second attempt.

[Bradford]

Glad you like Kelly!  I think it will be a real fun one!

Thanks sport hunter.. it's a bummer.  But get off the ground, dust off and hop right back on that buckin' pony!  LOL

[kennym]

Dang, Bradford! I was likin the looks of the first one, sorry you had bad luck.

I'm sure this next one will be just as sweet!

[Bradford]

Yeah Kenny... I hear ya!  It was looking sweet.. I stood there for a minute in disbelief that it broke..

I kept looking at it like I should be able to put it back together..LOL

Got the riser cut out and sanded tonight. So glue up and oven in the morning.  I have the day off..yeah!

[Bradford]

Productive morning..

Finished shaping and cleaning all parts with acetone.. then to glue up



Really laid the smooth on thick for this.. also got to remember what side the fabric goes down on the glass!  LOL



A lam sandwich



Some sandwich wrap



Then I put the first 2 lams down and clamp in the handle.. only slightly tight at first.. otherwise the handle moves around under the pressure.



All banded up and into the oven for 4 hours.  Should have more to report on this eve!